'End of the Road' might be best-known track to come from Pennsylvania's Boyz II Men, but for St Kilda's own adolescent cohort transitioning from boys to men themselves, this is just the beginning.
Each have come from their own corners of the nation - from as far down as Launceston, as far west as Perth and from the rural heartland of Wangaratta - and from their own unique pathways, ultimately converging on a path with St Kilda last November.
Angus Hastie, taken with pick No. 33 at last year's draft, had only made the decision to zero in on a football career after prospective pathways in cricket and basketball beckoned, West Australian Lance Collard (pick No. 28) had only entered first-round calculations after a dynamic close to the year for Subiaco in a similar vein to Darcy Wilson (18) from the Murray Bushrangers, Hugo Garcia (50) was only just making a name for himself at the Calder Cannons, while Arie Schoenmaker (62) was unsure whether or not he would even be drafted after missing a sizeable share of his draft year through suspension.
All five have now featured at senior level before the Saints' midpoint of the season; the club's first draft class (excluding rookie selections) since the 2014 haul of Paddy McCartin, Hugh Goddard, Daniel McKenzie and Jack Lonie to debut in their maiden seasons.
Injury has admittedly afforded opportunities earlier than anticipated, however it shouldn't discount the hunger and ambition each had to put themselves into consideration, play their respective roles and in time, knuckle down a place in the starting side.
"It's been really good to see everyone get their opportunity to debut. It comes from hard work, you see all of them in the pre-season and they haven't really taken a backwards step," Wilson told saints.com.au earlier this year.
"I think we've all challenged and motivated ourselves to keep pushing and show that age is just a number.
Coach Ross Lyon's mantra of 'safety in failure, excellence in learning' has resonated with Wilson in particular, who has featured in every match since Round 1 despite the significant leap in pressure, intensity and skill from the Coates Talent League to AFL.
"It resonated with me well. Coming into a pressurised environment you're going to make mistakes and I think every player fails," Wilson said.
"Ross just loves to see improvement and see if you learn from it. That's been a big thing for me and I feel safe to go out there every week and have a crack, knowing that I probably will fail at times but (my coaches) will back me in and I'll be able to learn from it."
There's still a long way to go for each player in terms of development, adjusting to the rigours of elite-level football and experience on-field, however it's likely only a matter of time before all five feature together in the one game.
With Marcus Windhager, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mitch Owens showing plenty of promise three seasons in, Mattaes Phillipou and Anthony Caminiti looking to build within their second seasons and another big year at the draft slated ahead of the 2025 season, the Saints' youth are only continuing to make their mark more prominent.
